Kim Keon-hee's special prosecutor plans to summon Jeon Seong-bae, the former monk, for questioning on the morning of the 18th.
The special prosecutor noted in an announcement on the 13th that "they plan to summon the suspect Jeon Seong-bae for questioning at 10 a.m. on the 18th."
Jeon is a key suspect in the so-called "Ganjeon monk solicitation case." The special prosecutor believes that from April to August 2022, Jeon received requests from the Unification Church for support in winning contracts for the Cambodia Mekong River development project (ODA), attracting the United Nations' fifth office to Korea, assisting in the acquisition of YTN, supporting the export of the Saemaul Movement to Africa, and inviting figures from the Unification Church to the inauguration of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
In this regard, the special prosecutor is investigating allegations that Jeon delivered a Graff diamond necklace worth 60 million won and two Chanel bags worth 10 million won each to Kim Keon-hee at the request of former Deputy Minister Yoon Young-ho.
However, in a prior prosecutor's investigation, Jeon claimed that while he did receive these items, he lost all of them. Mrs. Kim stated during the special prosecutor's questioning on the 6th that she had never received a necklace or bag from Jeon.
Additionally, Jeon is also suspected of soliciting nominations for the Gyeongbuk Bonghwa county mayor position from People Power Party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong and others during the 2022 local elections. There are also allegations that Jeon and the former Deputy Minister aimed to enroll a large number of Unification Church members into the People Power Party ahead of the party convention in January 2023 to make Kweon the party leader.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor plans to summon Mrs. Kim for questioning at 10 a.m. on the 14th. Mrs. Kim has been placed in custody at the Seoul Southern Detention Center since a warrant was issued on the night of the 12th.